Welcome!

I'm Clifford Stumme, and I use literary analysis and research to explain the deeper meanings of pop songs. Feel free to leave a comment or to email me at clifford@popsongprofessor.com with questions or ideas!

Greetings Readers, I just wanted to take a minute out of my day (the way you've taken many out of yours) to say, "Thank you." My life's taken a different direction because you read this blog and interact with me to talk about these songs.

You may have seen the pictures or videos Conservative Christians are spreading around the Internet of the words "Merry Christmas" handwritten on Starbucks's redesigned red Christmas cups. The phenomenon was started by Joshua Feuerstein, a former evangelist and current antagonist of "political correctness." He realized that Starbucks had redesigned its cups to remove festive Christmas tree branches and ornaments, and had made its cup much more simple, with a sleek, red design.

Blogging is a good time, but little is more frightening than occasionally taking a stroll down the dark alley of the blogosphere--spam comments. But even the blogosphere's dark alley has its nice points: sometimes spam comments can be complimentary. Of course, the writers want you to click on their title/link so that you'll buy something. The compliment is just to get you curious because they know everyone (especially bloggers) likes to feel that someone appreciates them.

What should Christians' responses be in the face of a decision that goes against one of their beliefs? While Christians think homosexuality is wrong, much of the culture believes gay marriage is acceptable and now has the might of law on its side.

Recently, I met a [pyramid scheme organization] salesman at church (though I didn't know it was a pyramid scheme at first). He was older and combined an interesting history with an easy-going personality. I asked him what he did for work, and he began telling me about an opportunity to make money.I eventually met with him to talk, and he laid out [pyramid scheme organization's] business plan. His presentation lacked detail and focused on the low effort and high returns that depended on me introducing him to my friends so we could get them to become salesmen too (see: pyramid scheme). When we finished, I told him I'd think about it and respond.

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